How about retailers paying for roads?

I read with utter disbelief, although I don’t know why I should disbelieve, the Wednesday article about the city of Marysville approving the construction of two new stores on 116th Street NE.

We already have a traffic mess in that area. The city has plans on improving the roads in that area some time in the future, they are just not sure when that will happen. Meanwhile, let’s add more consumer traffic to that area on two-lane roads with the traffic already backing up onto the freeway at various times during the day due to the new outlet mall on the west side and the other developments the Tulalip Tribes are putting in on reservation land.

Let’s not forget all the new housing developments going up on the west side also, toward the Seven Lakes area. All on two-lane roads. This does not include the new construction on the west side of the freeway near the Smokey Point interchange that the city approved a few weeks ago. That is a whole different story.

Meanwhile, the City of Marysville will improve these roads someday as soon as they can figure out where they will get the money.

I can only hope that the developer has to contribute a significant amount of money to improve traffic flow on 116th Street as part of their plan to build these stores and during the construction of the stores. Oh, what am I saying? That makes too much sense. And please don’t tell me that their tax money will do it. We have heard that story too many times before with no results.

Jake Ritland

Marysville

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

Canceled flights on a flight boards at Chicago O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Major airports appeared to be working largely as normal on Friday morning as a wave of flight cancellations hit the U.S. (Jamie Kelter Davis/The New York Times)
Editorial: With deal or trust, Congress must restart government

With the shutdown’s pain growing with each day, both parties must find a path to reopen government.

Klein: Democrats had the upper hand. Why did they give in now?

Trump has a higher tolerance for others’ pain than Democrats do. And they made their point with voters.

Recalling the bravery of nation’s first veterans

In the year 1768 there were a lot of Americans involved with… Continue reading

Praise for both candidates in County Council race

Sam Low earned my vote for Snohomish County Council Position 5 because… Continue reading

So much ‘winning’ in Trump’s first eight months

So. Eight months into the second Trump administration, the government has been… Continue reading

Kristof: Trump’s cuts to aid killing more Christians than Jihadis do

At Trump’s insistence, the U.S. has plans to invade Nigeria. A restoration of aid would save far more lives.

Warner Bros.
"The Lord of the Rings"
Editorial: Gerrymandering presents seductive temptation

Like J.R.R. Tolkein’s ‘One Ring,’ partisan redistricting offers a corrupting, destabilizing power.

A Flock camera captures a vehicle's make, model and license plate that police officers can view on computers. The city of Stanwood has paused use of Flock cameras while lawsuits over public records issues are sorted out. (Flock provided photo)
Editorial: Law enforcement tool needs review, better controls

Data from some Flock cameras, in use by police agencies, were gained by federal immigration agencies.

Fresh produce is put in bags at the Mukilteo Food Bank on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: County’s food banks need your help to aid neighbors

The suspension of SNAP food aid has increased demand at food banks. Their efforts need your donations.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Monday, Nov. 10

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Comment: If justices limit Trump’s power, it starts with tariffs

Depending on reasoning, three of the Supreme Court’s conservatives seem ready to side with its liberals.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.